Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hunter Hart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Hunter, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I recently had a project called “Beyond Broadway” that was published in The Raw Society magazine. In Nashville, Tennessee, a city buzzing with music and tourism, an oversupply of musicians and underpayment by venues have made it difficult for artists to sustain themselves. Country artist Jacob Morris highlights the disconnect between the value live music brings and the minimal compensation musicians receive. Many artists, like Jacob, adopt stage personas to stand out in the competitive scene, navigating both personal identity and public performance. Despite the city’s rapid growth and chaotic landscape, the stage remains a place of clarity and purpose for performers. Yet, low wages and sparse tips threaten the future of live music in the city. Without better support for musicians, Nashville risks losing the very essence that defines it. This is meaningful to me because I watch so many talented artists have to give up on their dream because they do not get the compensation that they deserve.

Hunter, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a Nashville-based photographer whose work is defined by a raw, documentary-style approach to storytelling. What started as a passion for capturing candid moments quickly evolved into a distinctive style that blends artistry with authenticity—leading me into the world of wedding photography, portraits for well-known artists, editorial work, and lifestyle shoots. Rather than relying on traditional, posed shots, I gravitate toward real, unscripted moments that capture the genuine emotion and beauty of my subjects.

My work has earned recognition across prestigious outlets, with publications including People, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, USA Today, and Delta Magazine showcasing my eye for detail. With each photograph, I aim to evoke emotion, making my subjects feel seen and celebrated in their most authentic form.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Being a photographer, I had to start somewhere. So I decided to start photographing friends in order to get a half decent portfolio to present my work to potential clients. This strategy helped so much that before I knew it, I was booking jobs left and right. However, people heard about these free photoshoots that I would do for “friend” and soon enough I started letting people abuse the value in my work. This actually went on for years, I still have “friends” who will not ask me to photograph for them because I decline to do it for free now. They are more than happy to pay someone else for their services but they sometimes do not respect the fact that creativity is a job. So the lesson I learned is to always charge even if it is a little bit at the beginning, this will help set boundaries amongst people who don’t understand that your work is a lifelong asset that will never be replicated.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

When I show up to a photoshoot my ADHD kicks in pretty hard and I never have a clear path to the finish line. I kind of like not knowing what I am doing between the beginning and end of my shoots. The more creative freedom I am given by a client, the better the photos turn out 10/10 times. So I would say the mission is to be as creative as possible not letting people put restraints on my personality which drives the creative choices I make during my shoots. This is after all why people hire me, to let me show them the world how I see it, not to be told how I should see it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hunterhartphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterhartphoto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hunterhart1

Image Credits

Sarah Hart photographed me